However, Scott quashed speculation that those issues had contributed to the leadership group's decision to suspend Daw.

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The Kangaroos had initially opted not to disclose the reasons behind Daw's ban, saying only that he had broken ''cultural expectations and training standards''.

But Scott was forced to publicly clarify the situation last night ''because of disappointing rumours and innuendo''.

"Unfortunately, there is an element out there that want to bring Majak down and have seen fit to spread rumours about him,'' he said in a statement.

Scott told The Age: ''Essentially … he breached protocol in that he went out … when he shouldn't have, when he was injured.

''Then when I asked him about it, he was untruthful. That was then referred to the leadership group and they have acted.''

Scott was candid when disclosing other issues surrounding Daw, the first Sudanese-born player on an AFL list.

''Unfortunately, with Majak's profile, the highest profile of any player to never play a game of AFL football yet … there are untruths being spoken at the moment,'' he said.

''His suspension is wholly and solely due to when he shouldn't have been going out and then being untruthful.

''There are two other issues that I have been aware of for a very long time and, to be honest, are trivial and don't concern me.

''One is that he has owed players some money. Those players don't have an issue with it. He is working on repaying them. We are talking about trivial amounts of money … below a thousand [dollars].

''It is completely unrelated to his suspension.''

Scott did not want to divulge the names of players who were owed money.

''The second thing that I am forced to deal with that I shouldn't have to is he is dating Daniel Pratt's ex-girlfriend,'' he said.

''Majak assures me, and did a long time ago, that his conduct has been completely above board, and I take him at his word.''

Scott said his understanding was that there had been a 16-month gap between the woman splitting with Pratt and going out with Daw.

''To suggest there has been any impropriety is ludicrous. He has assured me that his conduct has been completely above board,'' he said.

Scott said Daw, 20, had not found trouble on his night out.

''Majak is not a big drinker. To my knowledge, there is no alcohol involved [or] gambling involved. He didn't do anything illegal. He wasn't ejected.

''It was simply that he was out at a nightclub when he was in rehab, and he shouldn't have been.''

Scott said the Kangaroos did not have an official curfew for players. ''We just have cultural expectations that players are not to go out when they are injured, as simple as that.''

He also denied the Kangaroos had attempted to hide the full truth when chief executive Eugene Arocca and football manager Donald McDonald refused to disclose specifics in a press conference earlier yesterday.

The Kangaroos had also released a statement.

''People insinuating that this has been a cover-up, that is completely incorrect,'' Scott said.

''The reason I didn't go into detail why he was suspended because I don't feel obligated to give a blow-by-blow description. Cultural expectations and training standards are the truth.''

Daw's misdemeanour does not enhance his hopes of pressing for a spot on the Kangaroos' senior list. He was re-signed to a two-year contract in October.

Daw was taken with pick No. 9 in the 2010 rookie draft. He played a full season as Werribee's key ruckman last year, but has been unable to impress enough to gain selection in the AFL.

Scott said Daw had work to do to regain the faith of his coaches, skipper Andrew Swallow and the leadership group before he would be welcomed back into the fold.

''That has been spelt out to him. He has been extremely remorseful and knows that he has a long way to go to regain the trust of the players and support staff,'' he said.

Daw's manager, Shane Casley, said his client was determined to return to the Kangaroos' training group as soon as possible.

Daw moved to Australia with his family in 2003, having spent three years living in Egypt with his parents and siblings after they fled the Sudanese civil war.

24 comments

At least Daniel Pratt's ex missus is now dating an AFL player who posses a bit of talent !

Commenter

Eric Major

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

February 09, 2012, 8:04AM

What a beat-up.

I thought The News Of The World had closed.

Commenter

JRB

Date and time

February 09, 2012, 8:06AM

My Apologies to Caro - i meant Jon, i was reading Carro's article on this right before ...........

Commenter

MrWhippy

Date and time

February 09, 2012, 8:39AM

So Brad, OK if I borrow the trivial amount of $1,000 from you?

Commenter

Paul

Location

Ascot Vale

Date and time

February 09, 2012, 8:40AM

I thought ex meant ex so isnt it over with the girlfriend. Why cant he go out with a girl who is an ex girlfriend. Obviously Mr Pratt is still cut up about his ex girl. Why is it a crime to owe money to mates. If you are hung up on it dont lend the money.So in a nut shell he has gone out when he is in rehab and is suspended for it. Big Deal he's 20 and doesn't drink, he should get a medal for that alone.

Commenter

poissonsale

Location

act

Date and time

February 09, 2012, 8:41AM

OK, so he went to a night club while recovering and that broke club rules. What was he doing? Break-dancing, the Tango, the Cha Cha?

Sending Majak to Werribee is like transporting someone to the colonies for stealing a loaf of bread.

The punishment should fit the crime. Unless we haven't been given the full story some stern counselling should suffice.

Commenter

Mark

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

February 09, 2012, 8:55AM

Read the article Mark. Clearly you either didn't read it or you failed to comprehend it.He was sent back to Werribee for breaking club rules and then lying about it. Everything else would never have been mentioned by Scott but he was forced to come out and deny spurious allegations drummed up by the media.

Commenter

Gilly

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

February 09, 2012, 8:55AM

Congratulations to Brad and the Kangas leadership team for protecting the integrity and culture of the team. This type of behaviour, like breaking club rules, getting caught up in the nightclub culture, and lying to team mates can destroy a club (hello Westcoast). Your decisive action now, rather than giving Majak a slap on the wrist like so many other clubs would do (hello Magpies) sends a message to the team that it wont be tolerated. If he doesn't want to put in the hard work to earn his place in the side and help get the team back into the 8, then go find another team to put up with this behaviour.

Commenter

Rules R rules

Location

Arden Street

Date and time

February 09, 2012, 8:55AM

And the first footy beat-up of the year award goes to ... Jon Plerik!!! (cue applause)

I wonder if Jon ever dated anyone that was in a previous relationship??

Maybe Jon owes a bank money on a mortgage?

Perhaps he went out and had a drink one night?

Ahh - if only he was as famous as Majak Daw ... perhaps we'd hear about his fascinating life too.

Commenter

Yabba

Date and time

February 09, 2012, 9:00AM

When has it become a crime to be dating Daniel Pratt's ex girl friend. Come on man, give the yound lad a chance with a girl.